(OCALA, FL.) Sept. 17, 2025 – At approximately 11:41 a.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units were dispatched to reports of a structure fire at Fort King Middle School, 545 NE 17th Ave. As fire units were en route, school staff swiftly evacuated students to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. During the evacuation process, one student fell and was subsequently transported to the hospital for evaluation; fortunately, no injuries resulted from the fire. Upon entering, firefighters observed haze filling both the bathroom and the hallway. To guarantee that the fire had been completely extinguished, they doused the area once more. The Fire Prevention Division, the Ocala Police Department, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
By Christine Calvert
I was born and raised in Ocala. I’ve grown up watching Ocala grow to be The Horse Capital of the World and The Villages become one of the largest retirement communities in the US. I grew up on the dirt roads and playing in the open fields, where homes and businesses stand today.
I’ve been a Florida licensed insurance agent for over 20 years, specializing in Medicare plans. In my years in insurance, I’ve seen many changes affecting the lives of Medicare recipients. Plans change year to year but I pride myself on being the constant, for my clients, in the dynamic Medicare market. They can count on me being here year to year, as an advocate as well as a resource for Medicare insurance.
My insurance career is a part of my life and my business. My business philosophy is treating my clients as I’d want my own parents treated. Because of this, my clients are my strongest advertisement. They are comfortable referring their friends and family to me for guidance. I am very proud of this and never take it for granted.
Christine Calvert, Licensed Benefit Consultant
1737 SW 17th Street, Ocala, FL 34471
Office – 352-401-5611: Cell – 352-572-8510: Fax – 352-390-6400
Colonel Nick Navetta served thirty years in the U.S. Army and retired in 2010 from his last duty position as the Training Division Chief for U.S. Special Operations Command. He is a Veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Navetta is branch-qualified in Field Artillery, Combat Military Police, and Civil Affairs. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Legion of Merit Medal. Continue reading
The Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 9th Annual Business to Business Expo. 50 businesses were in attendance for this speed networking event, with a twist. Vendors had the opportunity to market to local businesses and the community, and as part of their vendor fee, they also received an updated headshot. Thank you to our event sponsors: Water Oak Country Club Estates, Merideth Nagel and The Legacy Legal Team & Concierge Title, Trustco Bank. Thank you to our headshot sponsor: Citizens First Bank.
I love the terms “Forward Momentum” “What’s Next?” “Moving Forward” “Fast Forward” it is a mind set for all businesses and Social media. I think we need to keep in mind to help others in our daily lives and they will help you back. I can’t do every request but I will try to do as many as I can.
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Putin won’t be happy until he owns Ukraine. The countries around him are going to fight! Maybe he will get the idea, maybe he won’t mean while more of his people and Ukraines people will die. They can win against Putin if they stick together unless China gets involved. Then I think we will get involved and the escalation is very dangerous. Remember China want’s Russia’s land so Russia better be careful.
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Where is all this going to stop. The fighting by position’s is making our country look like fools. Some of the things the Dem’s in. My opinion they want to side with the criminals then let into this country. Dems grow up! Do what is good for your voter. The Democratic voters don’t want to vote for a communist or a fool that let his state burn. The coast line is just a burnt mess and he is not helping the people who pay him. He is not a good Governor! The Dem’s are trying to make illegals voters by Hook or by Crook! We will have to make sure people who are here illegally cannot vote. They do NOT have RIGHTS as per our constitution! They are criminals by invading our country.
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Many people lay claim to the belief that taxes need to be progressive, not regressive, since those who make less are generally considered less able to pay taxes. So is the FAIRtax actually a more progressive tax system than the current income tax system?
Let’s take the example of a family of four who earns and spends $58,000 a year with no savings and no purchases of any used items. After their $9,729 prebate, they will pay a net $3,611 in FAIRtax. That’s a rate of 6.2%. That’s less than they would pay in payroll taxes alone under the current system. The current payroll tax is 7.65% and is applied to every dollar earned. In addition, part of this family’s income would be taxed at 12% with the remainder falling into the 22% bracket.
The FAIRtax un-taxes basic necessities through the prebate and removes the payroll tax which is the most regressive element of our current system. This allows workers to keep their paycheck without any federal income tax while causing real wages to rise. When purchasing new items under the FAIRtax, workers will be using pre-taxed (not post-taxed) dollars. Continue reading
Education Is For All Students!
Going back to the Presidents who made change in the school education system. The last eight presidents slowly made it worse until now and as we reform the system we see that we need to go back to where we were at many years ago. Basic education! We got to where the teachers were teaching the test that they rate the teachers pay and retention on. It is not the teachers fault, that is what the Department of Education has driven them too. I believe the state should draw up their own rules on education and equalize the amount spent. Right now they spend more money on sports. Sports event can hold their own they money at the gate and should share it with the cheerleaders and the band on their uniforms and travel to the games.
Education For All!
Today we are spending more and rating last in education. We need reform! Students need reading first because as they learn they have to read information. I think writing is part of reading. Today many people are typing and that’s OK. They also need to write some and be good at least simple math. I corresponded with a couple of smart people and they was using short form language on the tex, I did not understand half of what he said. He was not using words! U for you Y for why and etc. It becomes confusing. Continue reading
“This week, a first-of-its-kind immigration enforcement operation started in Florida’s Panhandle, led by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with federal partners,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. ”The Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation has apprehended hundreds of illegal aliens—including fugitives with criminal records and repeat unlawful border crossers. Florida continues to deliver on the mandate to secure our interior and protect our citizens from the threat of illegal immigration.”
Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Operation early highlights include:
- 45 FHP troopers and 20 federal personnel carrying out enforcement across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Holmes, Bay, Washington, and Jackson counties.
- Nearly 200 illegal aliens apprehended.
- 37 illegal aliens arrested who previously received final orders of removal and failed to appear in court.
- Eight illegal aliens apprehended who had been deported and illegally reentered the United States—one of which had been deported four times. These individuals will be federally charged.
By TomL
What category you think you are?
In my opinion evil is those who create unrest by using the un-informed. There are some people out there who you can be told anything that is not true and they will believe it is! They will get fired up and do things they would not normally do. We need to inform the ill-informed people the truth. Not sure how to do that when they are living on the streets, or receiving a check for groceries but they must contribute. They actually take pictures of themselves rioting so they can prove they were there and can receive a check.
Evil is also the rich that take advantage of a tragedy. The Texas flood was a un-natural disaster and there are people trying to blame Trump for cutting down on weather employees.. Or blaming the weather bureau for not advising the public about the possibility of flood. They did tell the people but the ones that heard it did not understand the possibilities. Continue reading
